Saturday, March 24, 2012

Planet of the Apes # 12 – A Review

Planet
of the Apes # 12

Writer:
Daryl Gregory

Artist:
Carlos Magno

Colorist:
Darrin Moore

Letterer:
Travis Lanham

Publisher:
BOOM! Studios

Price:
$3.99

I’ve been singing the praises of this book since issue number one and I’m happy to say that the thrills continue as we close out the third
four-part arc, “Children of Fire”. This story is PHENOMENAL and the series
continues to be my favorite monthly comic.I know Betrayal and Exile of the Planet of the Apes (also by
BOOM!) have both been getting more buzz lately, but honestly I don’t think
either is as exciting as this one. My theory is that the two mini-series are
more popular, because it showcases familiar characters like Doctor Zaius.I’ve got plenty of love for the old orangutan
myself, but Daryl and Carlos (who have yet to need fill-in help) have created a
whole slew of new characters and (not being as tied down to later continuity)
literally ANYTHING can happen at ANY time!

I’ll do my best to summarize the goings on, but after a year
of novel-level intrigue, there is no way I can adequately get you up to speed.You’ll just have to purchase the trade
paperback collections and read it for yourself…

The City Tree (tallest building in Mak, the Ape City) is
engulfed in flames thanks to a dirigible flown by rebel humans from Skintown (the
human ghetto city).Inside the building
Skintown’s mayor, Sully, is imprisoned after having given birth to a son last
issue.Her child was stolen from her by
her former “sister”, Voice Alaya, the ape leader.The ape Lawgiver was a grandfather to both
women prior to his assassination by the girl Chaika.Chaika who martyred herself in issue three is
the daughter of Bako, Sully’s right-hand man.Bako is trying to rescue Sully from the City Tree with the help of Kale,
the mutant priest with the golden guns. The
bald-headed, white robed Kale has been supplying weapons to the humans and was
behind Chaika’s plot to murder the Lawgiver.He also has the ability to cast illusions (most of the time).Alaya’s left-hand ape is Nix, the white gorilla,
who has past history with Bako.

[SPOILERS Follow]

This issue is really action packed.Bako reaches Sully’s dungeon room and after
learning that her baby is up in the inferno at the top of the tower, speeds to
his rescue.Sully takes a golden
hand-gun (and you thought I was just being facetious with that description) and
promptly shoots her primate OB/GYN in the knee-cap. Let’s just say he forgot to
give her an epidural.Up to this point
the story is narrated by Kale.Who later
on gets a shot in the arm when his illusion fails to fool the gorilla troops.

The narration then shifts to Bako as he searches for the
baby.He finds both the child and Alaya
on the floor about to succumb to smoke inhalation when he is confronted by
Nix.Their battle is masterfully
choreographed with Bako armed with a sword and Nix armed with tri-mace.Bako sears Nix’s face with some flaming
debris and Nix retaliates with a choke-hold, but Bako counters with a hidden boot shiv to Nix’s neck. “HNK” -- And
we get an epic half-splash of Alaya impaling Bako with his fallen sword (“He’s
dead, Jim”).Sully and Kale escape and
Alaya and Nix go off with Sully’s son.

Fast forward TEN YEARS!Alaya is the new Lawgiver trying to bring “her kind” of peace to the
world, having raised Sully’s mute son as her own.Meanwhile, the tragically fuzz-headed Sully,
shorn of her beautiful feminine locks, is about to retaliate with an army of
rag-tag humans. “It’s time to take back
our planet.”

Can you tell I’m excited?This book was AWESOME!!!I
totally got caught up in the action (like watching a movie).And, boy did I hate to see Bako get
killed!Just like his daughter,
Chaika.Sniff, sniff.Daryl has an annoying habit of getting rid of
his characters right after you really get to know them.

GRADE A+:BEST COMIC AND BEST
APE SERIES ON THE STANDS TODAY!!!Unpredictable and exciting with fully developed characters that aren’t guaranteed
to survive.I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

Want to know more about Daryl Gregory?Click here for my interview with him from last summer.